Intermountain Baseball League - Presented by BigJdotcom01

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APRIL 11-12: FLAGSTAFF (6-5) @ LONG BEACH (7-5)
Stadium: Harbor Park (Capacity: 11685)

April 11: Surf Dawgs 2, Hops 1
April 12: Hops 7, Surf Dawgs 1

Long Beach, CA (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops split a quick two game series with the Long Beach Surf Dawgs in Southern California. The Hops got some great pitching in both games and ended the short two game road trip with a split.

After playing their first nine games at elevation, the Hops took a trip to the beach and in the opener lost 2-1 in a pitchers duel to the Surf Dawgs. Steve Willis was excellent for the Dawgs, tossing 6 2/3 innings, striking out seven and allowing just one run to pick up his first win on the young season.

The Hops grabbed the lead in the third inning on an Arturo Mardones RBI double.

With the wind blowing in and the thick marine air, the ball was not flying like it had for the first part of the year in Flagstaff, St George and Colorado Springs. That lead to a ton of fly ball outs that just seemed to die short of the warning track.

Long Beach would do all of their damage in the fifth inning. Ponder singled to center to open the frame. Machado then doubled to right center to score Ponder. Carroll grounded one off of Robbie Westbrook for an infield single and then Castro grounded out to short to score Machado.

Robert Francis (1-1) once again pitched well for the Hops, but his two runs allowed were not enough. He tossed six innings, scattering six hits and allowing the two runs, while striking out five and walking just one.

Pedro Macias was excellent once again out of the bullpen for the Hops. He was perfect in two innings, striking out one to lower his ERA to 1.29 in five appearances.

The loss dropped the Hops back to .500 at (5-5).

The Hops took game two on Wednesday evening 7-1 behind a complete game from rookie Shoe Lace O’Tying. He was spectacular in picking up his first career victory, scattering seven hits and striking out five, while walking none.

The Hops would get all the runs that they would need in the second inning on a Robert Geronimo two-run home run. It was his fifth on the year, tying him for the team lead. Art Mason would add a three-run blast in the fifth inning to blow this one open. Robbie Westbrook would add a solo shot in the ninth. Oscar Aleman added an RBI single in the seventh.

The only blemish on O’Tying’s evening was a solo home run from Adrian Esparza to lead off the seventh for Long Beach.

Art Mason stole three bases in the game with Robbie Westbrook also grabbing a bag.

Flagstaff (6-5) will return home to face El Paso in a four game series beginning on Thursday evening.

Shoe Lace O’Tying earned his first win with a complete game in Long Beach.

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APR 14-17: EL PASO (10-5) @ FLAGSTAFF (8-7)
Stadium: Autozone Park (Capacity: 9,486)

April 14: Hops 6, Blue Rocks 4 (10)
April 15: Blue Rocks 9, Hops 6
April 16: Hops 6, Blue Rocks 1
April 17: Blue Rocks 7, Hops 1

Flagstaff (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops split a four game weekend series with Central leading El Paso. The teams alternated wins with the Hops taking games one and three, while the Blue Rocks took games two and four.

The Flagstaff Hops took the opener 6-4 in ten innings thanks to a walk off two-run home run from Josh Ortega on a frigid night at Autozone Park. That came after closer Vic Miller blew a save opportunity in the ninth, allowing two runs on three hits to the Central Division leads Blue Rocks.

Flagstaff would take the lead in the fourth inning. Robert Geronimo reached on an infield single, stole second and scored on an Oscar Aleman double. They would extend that lead to 2-0 in the fifth as Rafael Perez homered to right. It was his first on the season.

Shuheii Takahashi was a one man wrecking crew for El Paso and it started in the sixth. He led off with a single, stole second and scored on a Moore single to center.

Oscar Aleman would get that run right back with a two-out, RBI single to center that scored Rodney Millar to make it 3-1.

Takahashi was at it again in the top of the seventh, as he lined a two-out single to center to knock in Eloy Torrez. The Hops would get that run back in the bottom of the seventh thanks to two El Paso errors on the infield.

It would go to the ninth with the Hops up 4-2 and Vic Miller coming on to close it out. But Shuheii Takahashi had other ideas. With two outs, he lined a triple into the right centerfield gap to score Phil Colon. Josh Hawk then lined a single past a diving Kiko Pressley at third and into left field to tie the game at 4-4.

That blown save overshadowed a couple of nice pitching performances from the Hops. Starter Ryan Pressley tossed six solid innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, while striking out seven and walking none. Pedro Macais pitched 1 1/3 innings of solid relief.

The Hops would pull it out in the tenth though as Josh Ortega blasted a two-run home run over the wall in left center to walk it off.

Miguel Asencio (2-0) picked up the victory, throwing 1 1/3 innings and allowing no base runners, while striking out two.

On a frigid Friday night at Autozone Park, it was once again the Shuheii Takahashi show as he went 4 for 5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in a 9-6 Blue Rocks victory. He also stole three more bases and has six in the first two games to go along with his 8 for 10 at the plate.

Tommie Bennett homered twice for El Paso and also added a double with three RBIs to also help pace an offense that pounded out 18 hits in the victory. Brandon Gayle went 4 for 5 with three doubles and two RBIs.

For the Hops, Art Mason and Rodney Millar each homered but the big news coming out of this one was the injury to left fielder Oscar Aleman. He injured his right shoulder when he slammed into the wall in the seventh trying to make a catch. He is expected to miss about two weeks and will likely go on the 10-day injury list. He was leading the team with a .429 average with five home runs and 11 RBIs.

Steve Hubbard (0-1) was saddled with the loss in this one. He lasted just four innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, while striking out five. The bullpen wasn’t much better over the final five innings, giving up four runs on 11 hits.

Alfonso Murillo (2-0) picked up the win for El Paso, but he wasn’t great. He allowed four runs on five hits, struck out four, but walked three. Sam Lopez picked up his league leading sixth save working the final four outs. He has not allowed a run this season.

On another cold evening, the Hops took the third game of the series on Saturday by a score of 6-1. Sam Herzog tossed seven innings, allowing just the single run on four hits. He struck out five and walked just one as he improved to (1-1).

Flagstaff (8-6) got off to a quick start as Roberto Geronimo and Donnie Roland each homered in the second inning to stake the Hops to a 3-0 lead. They would extend it to 5-0 in the fifth on a Kiko Pressley two-run double.

El Paso would get their lone run on the evening in the top of the seventh as Omar Chavez hit one off the top of the wall in left center for a solo home run.

Aldo Osuna pitched the final two innings, holding the Blue Rocks scoreless to keep his ERA at 0.00.

El Paso starter Carlos Vargas (1-1) left the game in the fifth after getting hit in the left leg with a line drive. To add insult to injury, he was charged with the loss.

In the Sunday afternoon finale, the Blue Rocks scored seven runs in a wild second inning and made that stand up as they cruised to a 7-1 victory. Geraldo Parra went 7 2/3 innings, allowing just a solo home run to Emmitt Hampton in the bottom of the eighth inning. He allowed four hits while striking out four and walking just one.

El Paso battled around in the second, scoring a season high seven runs in the inning. Shuheii Talahashi was at it again, lining an RBI double. He went 2 for 5 with a run scored and had a huge series for El Paso.

Robert Francis (1-2) took the loss for Flagstaff, but manager Bud Black showed some confidence in him, allowing him to work past the second. He went 7 1/3 innings, and if you take out that brutal second inning, he allowed just three other hits and no runs.

Samuel Espinoza finished off the final 1 2/3 innings to close out the miserable afternoon.

Flagstaff (8-7) will welcome the Austin Fire Frogs to town starting tomorrow evening for a three game series to close out the home stand.

Around the League: ML West leading Colorado Springs scored five times in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday afternoon, capped off by a Donnell Marcus grand slam, as they stunned Santa Fe 7-5. Struggling San Diego got a gem from Matt Morales as he tossed a complete game two-hitter, striking out ten as the Seals defeated Tucson 4-0.

El Paso's Shuheii Takahashi had himself a series in the four game split.

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APRIL 18-20: AUSTIN (10-9) @ FLAGSTAFF (9-9)
Stadium: Autozone Park (Capacity: 9,486)

April 18: Fire Frogs 4, Hops 3 (10)
April 19: Hops 2, Fire Frogs 1 (10)
April 20: Fire Frogs 13, Hops 7

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Austin Fire Frogs came into Flagstaff and left with a series victory as they took two of three from the Hops to close out the home stand.

The Fire Frogs hit four solo home runs in the opener with the biggest coming in the top of the tenth as Todd Marshall homered off of Pedro Macias to put Austin in front to stay as they won 4-3.

Todd Marshall opened the game with a lead off home run off of Shoe Lace O’Tying. It was Marshall’s third on the season.

Flagstaff would grab the lead in the second on a two-run double from catcher Rafael Perez.

The Fire Frogs would get solo home runs from Blip Sanders (3rd) and Ted Martinez (5th) in the fourth and fifth innings to retake the lead 3-2.

The Hops would tie it back up in the bottom half of the sixth on a solo shot from Art Mason, his fourth on the season.

It would stay that way until the tenth when Marshall homered to left with two outs off of Macias. Macias took the loss (1-2). He tossed two innings and the only base runner that he allowed was Marshall. Shoe Lace O’Yuing went eight innings, allowing three runs on five hits.

Connor Hart (1-0) earned the win out of the pen for Austin. He pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief of Prado and did not allow a hit. Kent McAlpin worked the tenth to earn his sixth save.

On Tuesday evening, the Hops used some late game heroics to defeat the Fire Frogs 2-1 as they walked it off in extra innings. Robbie Westbrook homered with two-outs in the bottom of the tenth to win it for Flagstaff and they avoided falling below .500 for the first time this season.

This was a pitchers duel, but neither starter would figure in the decision. Eveland for Austin pitched seven shutout innings, scattering four hits. He struck out three and walked two. Ryan Pressley went seven innings for Flagstaff, allowing one run on four hits. He struck out six and walked just one.

The lone Austin run came in the fourth inning on a Luke Jordan solo home run to left.

Flagstaff waited until the bottom of the ninth to respond. Rodney Millar hit an absolute bomb to left center with one-out in the bottom of the ninth to send this one to extra innings.

Oliver Benedict (1-0) picked up the win, throwing three shutout innings in relief of Pressley. Owen Bonds (1-1) took the loss for Austin as they fell to (9-8).

Arturo Mardones was an absolute beast on defense in this one, robbing the Fire Frogs of at least three base hits with his slick fielding and rocket arm.

In the finale, the Fire Frogs scored seven times in the top of the first and never looked back as they cruised to a 13-7 victory. They hit five home runs in the game and ten in the three game series as the long ball continues to haunt Flagstaff pitching in the opening month of the season.

Corey Barton and Sean McKenzie each hit two home runs with Barton driving in four runs to pace the victory. The teams combined for 20 runs, 32 hits and six home runs.

Steve Hubbard (0-2) took the loss but he lasted just three batters, allowing three base hits. He left with shoulder tightness with no one out in the first and the bases loaded. The Hops bullpen was really not up to the task in this one as four relievers combined to allow 10 run son 15 hits.

Flagstaff (9-9) will now head south to Goodyear for a three game series with the Jack Rabbits (9-10) beginning on Friday evening before heading to Austin for a four game series.

Around the League: Dan Moore of the Glendale Desert Dogs fanned 11 in 6 1/3 innings on Monday evening as Glendale slipped past Phoenix 4-3. First baseman Randy Klaus of the Forth Worth Kings hit four home runs and drove in five in a 13-0 victory over the Salt Lake Chukars on Wednesday afternoon. He now leads the Mountain League with eight home runs.

Robbie Westbrook celebrates his walk-off home run on Tuesday evening.

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After the first few weeks of the inaugural Intermountain Baseball League, I thought I would give you a look at some of the stars playing in the league. We will start with the Mountain League East.

Manny Vega, the 26-year-old centerfielder for West Texas with a 96 OVR rating has struggled out of the gate, hitting just .212 with no home runs and just four RBIs in 20 games for the East leading Bison. Vega was drafted 15th overall.

Lincoln Farrington, the 29-year-old starter for Amarillo is off to a bit of a rough start also. He is (1-2) with an ERA of 4.74 in four starts for the Honey Hunters. He has allowed five home runs, while striking out 20 and walking 12.

Forth Worth’s Gabriel Carmona has been solid on the bump for the Kings in his first four starts. He is (1-1) with an ERA of 0.98 with 18 strikeouts and just five walks for the second place Kings.

Luke Jordan has lived up to all the hype for Austin after being selected third overall. He has five home runs and 10 RBIs to go along with four stolen bases and a .305 average for the Fire Frogs.

Gus Woodson, selected 21st overall, has been excellent for the San Antonio Javelinas in his four starts, going (2-0) with an ERA of 0.27 and WHIP of 0.88. He has 23 K’s and 10 walks for a San Antonio team that has struggled out of the gate.

Moving onto the Mountain League Central...

Lincoln Graham, the top pick for Santa Fe, has struggled out of the closer role. In nine appearances, he is (0-2) with two blown saves and an ERA of 8.59 in 7.1 innings of work.

Ryne Rodriguez, the 32-year-old veteran starter for Rio Rancho has been solid for the Owlz in his first four outings. He is (2-1) with a respectable ERA of 3.65 and WHIP of 1.18. He has helped the Owlz to a (10-10) start, just two games out of first place.

Catcher Dan Rodriguez, selected 11th overall, of last place Albuquerque has missed most of the season so far after breaking his shin in the opening week. Thomas Estrada has helped the Mariachis overcome an (0-8) start by hitting .369 with two homers and 11 RBIs as the Mariachis have gone 8-3 in their last 11.

Blake Pacinelli, the 25=year-old right fielder for Roswell, is second in the Mountain League with seven home runs and is slugging .609 in the first three weeks of the season to help Roswell to a (10-7) start, just a half game out of first place.

El Paso’s Bruno De La Cruz has been OK for the first place Blue Rocks. In four starts, he is (2-1) with an ERA of 3.38. He has 15 strikeouts and 10 walks in 26.2 innings. 23-year-old Chinese left fielder Shuheii Takahashi has been the spark plug for the Blue Rocks, hitting .387 with three homers and 14 RBIs to go along with seven stolen bases.

In the Western division of the Mountain League, the Flagstaff Hops have been a bit of a surprise out of the gates, going (9-9) and sitting in third place in a very tough division. They are led by 18-year-old potential star in Robbie Westbrook. He has not disappointed to open the year, hitting .304 with two home runs and five stolen bases while dealing the web gems in the field playing both second base and shortstop.

Juan Caceras, the 27-year-old cebterfielder for Colorado Springs got off to a slow start but has been picking it up in the last week as his average has risen to .262 for the first place Snow Sox. He has three home runs, 10 RBI and three stolen bases.

Second baseman Scottie Hager, the sixth overall pick of St George, is off to a great start, hitting over .300 with three home runs, 12 RBI and three stolen bases for the struggling Archers, who sit in fourth place at (9-11).

Third round selection J.P. Grant, the 28-year-old slugger is off to a slow start for last place Salt Lake. He is hitting .284 with two homers and nine RBIs. Their top pick, catcher Freddie Hewitt is only hitting .203 but has four homers.

34-year-old starter Ken Smith has the Hot Shots off to a quick start, sitting in second place. He is (2-1) with an ERA of 2.13 and WHIP of 1.18 with 19 strikeouts and nine walks in 25.1 innings of work.

Moving over to the Desert League, we will start by looking at some Eastern Division stars.

On the Barnstormers, third baseman Steve Heupel leads a loaded Barnstormers lineup that is off to a slow start as they sit at (7-11) and are in last place. Heupel is hitting .314 with three homers and 10 RBI.

Left fielder Vlad Bruno has struggled a bit for Chandler. He is hitting .288 but has just one homer and eight RBIs and maybe most surprisingly is just one stolen base for arguably the fastest guy in the entire league.

Mesa’s John Nichols has exceeded even the high expectations placed on him after he was selected eighth overall. He is hitting over .300 with three home runs and 15 RBIs, plus five steals in leading the Solar Sox into first place.

Rafael Ortiz, the second round pick of the Salt River Rafters, is off to a solid start, going (2-2) with an ERA of 3.71 and WHIP of 1.16. The surprising Rafters sit in second in the Desert East .

Freddie Crawford, the 29-year-old closer, an undrafted free agent, has been fantastic for Tucson. In seven appearances, he has five saves and a 1.29 ERA with seven strikeouts and one walk, allowing just four hits.

Jeff Jankowitsch, the 31-year-old catcher, leads the Phoenix Firebirds. He is hitting .313 with foru homers and seven runs driven in on 64 at bats as Phoenix has opened the campaign (11-7).

The oldest player selected in the opening round of the inaugural IBL draft was Cristobal Gonzalez. The Glendale Desert Dogs wanted a veteran starter to lead the team and he has done just that. He is (3-1) with an ERA of 4.50 in 20 innings of work. But the Desert Dogs are in first place and second in team ERA at 3.04.

Goodyear is lead by 29-year-old closer Fred Michael. In seven appearances, he has yet to allow a run and has allowed just two hits in picking up six saves, second in the IBL. He has 11 strikeouts and just one walk.

Third baseman Ray Landry leads Scottsdale. The 33-year-old is hitting just .151 with one homer and 10 RBIs in 73 at bats through 18 games. 18-year-old phenom pitcher Pat Mehnutzak has struggled also, going (0-1) with an ERA north of 5.50 in 22.1 innings of work for (7-11) Scorpions.

Maury Keith, the 34-year-old closer for last-place Surprise, has struggled some to open the season. He has six appearances with four saves and one hold, but his ERA is 4.76, allowing three runs and six hits in 5.2 innings of relief.

Rounding out our early season summary is the Desert League West. Yuma have the worst record in the Desert League at (5-13). They are led by 28-year-old starter Frank Reyna, picked ninth overall. He has an ERA of 3.33, WHIP of 1.19 and a (1-2) record. He has 17 strikeouts and has walked just six.

Las Vegas Nuggets’ Enrique Lima has been huge for the top ranked club in the IBL. He is hitting .321 with five homers and 11 RBIs for the (14-5) Nuggets.

The top overall pick in the inaugural IBL draft, Matt Campbell has looked good for the San Diego Seals, despite an (0-2) record. He has struck out 29 and walked only four in 26.2 innings of work. His ERA is 3.38 with a WHIP of 1.01. This guy is a flame thrower hitting over 100 mph multiple times each start.

Third baseman Sean Pressley, fourth overall pick of the Henderson Silver Knights, is off to a relatively slow start, hitting just .239 with two homers and seven RBI in 67 at bats. His OPS of .756 is fifth on Henderson, , who currently sit at (8-10), five and a half games back of Las Vegas.

18-year-old Steve Willis has lived up to the hype of a potential ace for Long Beach in the early going. He has an ERA of 2.03 and WHIP of 1.39 in four starts for a pretty decent Surf Dawgs club.

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APR 22-24: FLAGSTAFF (10-11) @ GOODYEAR (12-11)
Stadium: Banner Health Field (Capacity: 8,816)

April 22: Jack Rabbits 3, Hops 0
April 23: Hops 6, Jack Rabbits 1
April 24: Jack Rabbits 4, Hops 3 (13)

Goodyear, AZ (AP) - The Goodyear Jack Rabbits took two of three from the Hops as they opened a seven game road trip. Sunday afternoon, on getaway day, the Jack Rabbits pulled it out in 13 innings to win the series.

The Goodyear Jack Rabbits used four pitchers to combine on a three-hit shutout in the opener of the three game series as they defeated Flagstaff 3-0. Home runs from Phil Newell and Kenny Peters provided the offense for the Jack Rabbits as they moved back over .500.

Flagstaff just could not get anything going offensively in this one. Corbin McCarthy improved to (4-1) on the season as he tossed six shutout innings, allowing three hits, while striking out seven and walking two. The Goodyear bullpen tossed no hit ball over the final three innings with Tracy Vote picking up save number two.

Sam Herzog (1-2) was the hard luck loser for Flagstaff. He was excellent, tossing seven innings and allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out eight and did not issue a walk.

On Saturday afternoon, Emmitt Hampton hit two home runs and drove in five as the Hops defeated the Jack Rabbits 6-1. Hampton homered in the second and sixth innings and that is all that Robert Francis would need to pick up his second win.

Francis (2-2) pitched a solid six innings, allowing just one run on five hits. He struck out two and did not issue a walk. Oliver Benedict and Samuel Espinoza allowed just one hit over the final three innings to close this one out.

Art Mason got things going in the very first inning as he homered to left off of Gilberto Guzman. It was Mason’s fifth on the season. Hampton’s two homers gave him three on the year.

Goodyear would get their lone run on back-to-back doubles from Joe Nelson and Luis Mota in the bottom of the second inning.

In the finale, the Jack Rabbits won a marathon, pulling out a 4-3 victory in 13 innings. Reid Hoffman’s double in the bottom of the thirteenth, brought home Luis Mota with the game winning run as Goodyear moved back over .500 and Flagstaff fell one game under .500.

The Hops grabbed a 2-0 lead in this one early on with an RBI single from Donnie Roland and a solo home run from Roberto Geronimo.

Shoe-Lace O’Tying looked good on the mound early on, but ran into some trouble in the fifth, giving up back-to-back doubles to Emilio Montalvo and Luis Mota as Goodyear cut the lead to 2-1. In the sixth, he would surrender a two-run shot to Gregory Rice, which gave Goodyear the lead. He would leave after seven innings, trailing 3-2. He struck out nine and walked one, allowing the three runs on just five hits.

The Jack Rabbits (12-11) would hold that lead into the ninth, when Rodney Millar homered to left off of Vote to open the ninth and tie the ball game at 3-3. It was his eighth on the year.

Flagstaff (10-11) never really had a great chance to score in extra inning and the Jack Rabbits would finish them off in the 13th. Taking the loss for the Hops was reliever Peter Gorzelski ((1-1). He worked a perfect 12th inning, but gave up the back-to-back doubles to end it at the start of the 13th.

The Hops will head to Austin for a four game series with the Fire Frogs starting on Monday evening.

Around the League: Roswell’s Parks tossed a two-hit shutout of Silver Bullets on Friday night in Santa Fe.

The Jack Rabbits celebrate their walk off extra inning win on Sunday afternoon.

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APR 25-28: FLAGSTAFF (11-14) @ AUSTIN (15-10)
Stadium: Dell Diamond (Capacity: 11,868)

April 25: Fire Frogs 1, Hops 0
April 26: Fire Frogs 6, Hops 1
April 27: Hops 1, Fire Frogs 0
April 28: Fire Frogs 2, Hops 1 (17)

Austin, TX (AP) - Flagstaff is in an offensive slump and that continued as they dropped three of four to Austin to end the road trip. They scored just three runs in the four games and scored just 12 on the seven game road trip.

In the opener, the Fire Frogs defeated the Hops 1-0 in a classic pitchers duel. Pat Eveland and Ryan Pressley battled with each going into the eighth inning before Austin was able to finally score.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Todd Marshall singled to right with two outs. He then stole second and scored on a bloop single to right by Chris Richardson. That spelled the end for Ryan Pressley. He went 7 2/3 innings, allowing that lone run and scattering seven hits. He struck out three and walked two as he fell to (0-2).

Pat Eveland went 7 1/3 innings for the Fire Frogs, allowing four hits and striking out four, while walking just one. Connor Hart (2-0) picked up the win in relief, getting the final two outs in the eighth. Kent McAplin tightroped through the ninth, stranding runners at the corners as he struck out Kiko Pressley to end the game and pick up his eighth save in eight chances.

Robbie Westbrook left the game in the first inning, feeling tightness in his quad. He will be evaluated this evening and his status for Tuesday is unknown.

On Tuesday evening, the Fire Frogs used a four run sixth inning to pull away for a rather easy 6-1 victory. Ted Martinez went 2 for 3 with a double, home run and three RBIs to help pace Austin to the victory.

Flagstaff grabbed an early lead in the second inning on a Donnie Roland RBI single up the middle that score Roberto Geronimo. But Flagstaff felt like they left some runs out there in both the first and second inning with some base running blunders, and a 1-0 lead felt very unsatisfying.

Austin would take the lead in the third on a Todd Marshall two run home run, to put them up 2-1.

Steve Hubbard (0-3) would make it into the sixth before giving way to Oliver Benedict with two outs and a runner on first. Benedict could not close out the inning and the Fire Frogs blew the game open. Blip Sanders doubled home Barton. Willy Benavides walked and then Ted Martinez homered. All of the sudden it was 6-1 and the Hops were in trouble.

Jacob Benedict (2-1) would earn the win for Austin, going seven innings and allowing one run on nine hits. He walked one and struck out one, but worked out of jams in the first three innings that really could have changed the outcome in this one. Adam Novak came out of the bullpen and pitched two perfect innings to close out the Hops.

The Hops offensive woes continued on Wednesday evening, but they were able to get great pitching as they pulled out a 1-0 victory over the Fire Frogs to break their three game losing streak. An Oscar Aleman sacrifice fly in the ninth was the game’s lone run as both teams each managed just four hits in a swiftly played game.

Sam Herzog did not get a decision, but was great on the mound for the Hops. He went seven innings, allowing no runs and just three hits. He struck out three and walked one, and twice left runners stranded on third base.

Pedro Macias (2-2) picked up the win after pitching the eighth. Vic Miller worked the ninth and after giving up a leadoff single, worked his way out to pick up his third save in four opportunities.

Shoe-Lace O’Tying was inserted into the lineup as a DH and picked up his first career hit, a triple in the eighth inning. Manager Bud Black said that O’Tying has been working hard in the cage and he felt like he deserved the chance today.

The Hops offense has gone ice cold on this road trip, managing just 11 runs in the first six games of the trip, scoring zero or one in four of the six games. The trip concludes on Thursday afternoon.

The finale was a seventeen-inning marathon on getaway day, and it ended in misery as Corey Barton homered in the bottom of the seventeenth inning to win it for Austin, 2-1. Barton homered twice, accounting for both Fire Frog runs on a cold rainy Thursday afternoon in the Texas capital.

Flagstaff (11-14) took the lead all the way back in the first inning on a Roberto Geronimo RBI single that drove home Robbie Westbrook. Westbrook had a game, going 5 for 7 with a walk and three stolen bases. The Hops would steal eight bases in the game.

Corey Barton was about the only offense for Austin. He homered in the seventh off of Flagstaff starter Robert Francis to tie the game at 1-1. Then hit the game winner in the 17th.

Flagstaff had multiple chances to score more runs but could not come through with men in scoring position. They left 13 men on in scoring position in the loss.

Adding insult to injury, centerfielder Art Mason was injured and had to leave the game. It was a shoulder injury and he will be evaluated when the team returns to Flagstaff.

The Hops will return home to take on Santa Fe in a three game weekend series and then will host San Antonio.

Around the League: Fort Worth hit three home runs and scored eight runs in the top of the 11th inning to defeat Roswell 9-1. Mike Rexman blasted three home runs and drove in six runs in Mesa’s 11-2 victory over Gilbert. The Solar Sox hit seven home runs in the game.

Notes: Art Mason has shoulder inflammation and was placed on the Injured List. The team has recalled outfielder Grant Mitchell from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Shoe-Lace O’Tying laced a triple for his first IBL hit on Tuesday evening.

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APR 29 - May 1: SANTA FE (10-18) @ FLAGSTAFF (12-16)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,486)

April 29: Silver Bullets 5, Hops 1
April 30: Hops 4, Silver Bullets 3
May 1: Silver Sox 6, Hop 4 (11)

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops dropped two of three to the last place Santa Fe Silver Bullets at AutoZone Park in downtown Flagstaff over the weekend. They blew a late four run lead in the finale as they continue to struggle along in the early going of the season.

Flagstaff’s offensive woes continued on Friday night as they returned home to open a six game home stand as they dropped a 5-1 decision to Santa Fe. Matt Price was dealing for the Silver Bullets, tossing 7 2/3 innings and allowing just one run on four hits while striking out six and walking only one.

The Silver Bullets would get to Shoe-Lace O’Tying in this one, chasing him one batter into the seventh. He took the loss, allowing five earned runs on eight hits. He struck out three and walked one.

Santa Fe would take the lead in the top of the fifth, thanks to a couple of two out base hits. Dezi Azerod doubled to right and Craig lined a single back up the middle to score him as Santa Fe took a 1-0 lead.

They would go up 3-0 in the sixth on an Emerson King two-run home run to right. Sergio Sierra would blast a moon shot to left and it was 4-0 Silver Bullets after six. Mark Griffin would single home Azerod in the seventh to make it 5-0.

Flagstaff would finally get on the board in the bottom of the eighth as Robbie Westbrook homered to right. It was his third on the season. But Flagstaff could muster little else, managing just four hits in the game and scoring one run for the fourth consecutive game.

The Hops are now (3-9) in their last 12 after a promising start to the season. They are 25th in batting average and 24th in runs scored. The pitching has been good enough to win most of these games if they had some support.

The Hops closed out April with a 4-3 victory over the Santa Fe Silver Bullets. Ryan Pressley picked up his first professional win as he went seven innings, allowing three runs on nine hits, while striking out seven and walking none.

Flagstaff would get all of their runs in a four run fifth inning. Skyler Lyons tripled to open the inning and scored on a Kiko Pressley excuse me infield single. Robbie Westbrook hit a sacrifice fly to score Rafael Perez, who had reached on a hit by pitch. Emmitt Hampton doubled home Pressley and Roberto Geronimo grounded out to score Mitchell.

The Silver Bullets made it interesting scoring twice in the top half of the sixth to cut the lead to 4-3, but the Flagstaff bullpen shut down any comeback hopes with Pedro Macias and Vic Miller getting the final six outs to secure the victory.

In the finale, Steve Hubbard tossed a gem, leaving the game up 4-0 after six innings, but the bullpen absolutely fell apart as the Silver Bullets rallied for a 6-4 extra innings victory.

Flagstaff jumped out to a 4-0 lead thanks to a three home runs. Grant Mitchell hit the first pitch on the bottom of the first into the grassy berm in left to put the Hops up 1-0. Arturo Mardones and Robbie Westbrook then hit homers in the fifth to make it 4-0.

Flagstaff appeared in their way to a series win until the bullpen imploded.

Emerson King and Jamaal Crosby each hit two home runs for Santa Fe. King hit a solo shot in the seventh to cut the lead to 4-1. Crosby then hit a two run shot in the ninth off of closer Vic Miller to cut the lead to 4-3. Dezi Azerod would single home Emerson King to tie the game at 4-4 and send it into extra innings.

In the eleventh, King and Crosby hit back-to-back homers to open the inning off fo reliever Pedro Macias and Ricky Meija came in to lock down his first save as Santa Fe left with the series victory.

Flagstaff (12-16) will have tomorrow off before hosting San Antonio (17-12), who sit a half game out of first in the ML East.

Jamaal Crosby hit two homers on Sunday in Santa Fe’s 6-4 extra inning win.

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APRIL AWARDS:

ML Pitcher of Month: David Lee (Roswell) 5-1, 3.06 ERA, 45 K’s
ML Player of month: Phil Riebow (Rio Rancho) 100 At-Bats, .330 Avg, 9 HR, 25 RBI
ML Rookie of month: Phil Riebow (Rio Rancho) 100 At-Bats, .330 Avg, 9 HR, 25 RBI
DL Pitcher of Month: Armando Bermudez (Gilbert) 4-1, 1.66 ERA, 33 K’s
DL Player of Month: Mike Rexman (Mesa) 87 At-Bats .356 Avg, 10 HR, 25 RBI
DL Rookie of Month: Mike Rexman (Mesa) 87 At-Bats .356 Avg, 10 HR, 25 RBI